Orphange for Children with Disabilities

My experience volunteering at the orphange for children with disabilities has been the most rewarding experience thus far. The living conditions at this orphanage are not so pleasant (unclean, dark and gloomy). The 200 children basically run around unattended for most of the day surpervised only by a few individuals. Those who are physically able keep themselves busy by playing games with each other. Those children who have suffered from agent orange are bed ridden and just lay on their backs all day. We walked around the orphanage trying to sing and play with as many children as we could. The children are remarkable!! They are full of energy and laughter that you can’t help but hug them and smile.

Like this:

Be the first to like this post.

August 13, 2009 - Posted by christiesvietnamtrip | Volunteering

1 Comment »

Christie, I’m so proud of you, you have no idea! You get back to Toronto the day before I do. Can’t wait to see you. xoxo

Comment by J Belluz | August 17, 2009 | Reply

About This Trip

Back in September, B Wyze presented their employees with a competition for a Social Responsibility Vacation. One employee would be given the opportunity to volunteer in a third world country for up to 3 weeks. I was fortunate enough to be this individual.

I will be volunteering in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for two different programs: an Orphanage for Children with Disabilities and a Shelter for Street Children.

The Orphanage For Children with Disabilities cares for abandoned children with mental or physical disabilities as well as children who are victims of agent orange. The orphanage helps to educate them to the fullest extend of their capabilities, both physical and intellectual. Finally, the orphanage helps them to learn to live independently. There are about 400 children at the orphanage.

Volunteers can talk and play with the children, help the physiotherapists when they do the therapies for the children, feed the children and teach some children to feed themselves and take them on their wheel chairs for a walk in the orphanage’s front garden.

The shelter for street children provides accommodation, education, recreational activities and opportunities for street children and orphaned children so they can get a job when they grow up and go back home to integrate with their own families or build their own live. There are 20 children at this shelter from the age of 6 years old. Volunteers at this project offer valuable support and education to the children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. I will be teaching conversational English to the children and offer support to the children while being a positive role model for the children.

A very special thank you to the CO-CEO’s of B Wyze, John Towsley and Rick Beaudry for giving me this opportunity!

Christie's Social Responsibility Adventure

Volunteering in Vietnam